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NATO Allies conducted the first Ramstein Flag Exercise 24 in Andravida Air Base, Greece. More than 140 aircraft from 12 NATO nations, including fighter jets, refueling and transport aircraft, and Airborne early warning and control aircraft took part in the multinational live-flying exercise.

Ramstein Flag is a tactical-level live exercise (LIVEX) sponsored by NATO Allied Air Command, designed to offer participating nations, as the Primary Training Audience, advanced training opportunities with realistic challenges in a complex operational environment.

The exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force, involved Maritime, Land, and Special Operation Forces, integral components of Air Power, and witnessed participation from NATO nations, including Greece, Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the United States.

Advanced NATO fighter jets including F-16, F-35, Rafales, and Gripens took part in simulated combat scenarios that emphasize multi-domain operations and air combat strategies. U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems also played a critical role in training Allied forces to achieve and maintain air superiority.

The exercise focuses on enhancing tactical decision-making, interoperability, and coordination among NATO forces, simulating modern battlefield conditions. Ramstein Flag aims to improve cooperation among air forces, integrating both 4th and 5th-generation aircraft, and strengthening deterrence and response capabilities to current and emerging threats.

NATO’s first Flag exercise starting today! Bringing together more than 140 Allied aircraft from 12 🇬🇷🇨🇦🇫🇷🇭🇺🇮🇹🇵🇱🇵🇹🇷🇴🇪🇸🇸🇪🇬🇧🇺🇸 Allies

Ramstein Flag is offering high-end training opportunities in a complex realistic operational environment pic.twitter.com/ZKApUZSkfp

— NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) September 30, 2024

Deputy Commander Allied Air Command, Air Marshal Johnny Stringer said, “The exercise is crucial for maintaining peace and ensuring NATO’s Air Forces are prepared to defend the alliance. It provides us with the opportunity to bring NATO’s Air Forces together to show how- if necessary – we would fly, fight and win.”

NATO’s Ramstein Flag exercise demonstrated the Alliances’s “resolve, commitment, and ability to deter potential adversaries and defend the Alliance through highly sophisticated multi-domain operations,” the NATO statement highlighted.

According to the NATO Allied Air Command statement, achieving and maintaining air superiority in potential conflicts is the primary goal of NATO’s Allied Air Command and Allied Air Forces across all contested areas of operation. The Alliance’s superiority is challenged by enemy interference, such as air or missile threats targeting NATO aircraft, the statement added.

Additionally, threats to forward air bases from cruise and ballistic missiles can create anti-access conditions, denying Allied aircraft entry and establishing no-fly zones. NATO Allies are employing Counter-Anti-Access/Area Denial (C-A2/AD) measures to neutralize adversary military infrastructure, deter threats, and eliminate restrictions on the movement of friendly forces within a given region, the NATO AIRCOM noted.

Commander Allied Air Command General James B. Hecker highlighted, “As geopolitical tensions continue to evolve, so too must NATO’s exercise design. Exercise Ramstein Flag signifies the future of NATO exercises, focusing on current and future threats.”

The NATO AIRCOM statement noted, “C-A2/AD in NATO operations is a multi-domain activity, and Ramstein Flag will allow the Alliance to train and further refine tactics, techniques, and procedures in this field. Ramstein Flag signifies the future of NATO exercises and the first major exercise to practice C-A2/AD for NATO.”

Notably, a key NATO member, Turkey opted out of the exercise due to a diplomatic dispute with Greece over flight plan submissions for its jets, which has been a significant issue between the two countries in NATO exercises.

NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force

NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force (NAEW&CF) and the NATO E-3A Component also participated in the newest exercise. NATO AWACS aircraft from Air Base Geilenkirchen in Germany were deployed to Forward Operating Base Aktion in Greece and provided Command and Control during the exercise.

The crews, made up of 17 NATO nations served as airborne battle managers and played a crucial role in coordinating Allied aircraft. The crew conducted command and control and air battle management operations for more than 400 sorties throughout the exercise.

Deployment Commander Maj. Jin said, “Ramstein Flag 24 offers our crews a unique opportunity to exercise Counter Anti-Access/Area Denial and Integrated Air and Missile Defense tactics, techniques and procedures.”

He highlighted the importance of the Ramstein Flag exercise as it improves the forces’ ability to implement and execute the critical missions of the NATO E-3A Component and demonstrates the NATO’s commitment to defend one another and every inch of of Allied territory at all times.

Separately, NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance aircraft also conducted flights over Romania. The Allies have enhanced vigilance activities and reinforced their presence in the region, in coordination with Romanian military authorities, to monitor Russian military activity.